Wireless Sensor Interface with Mobile Terminal Satellite Modem and Global Location System

• US 20140098723A1
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rich Battista
• Original Assignee: Rich Battista
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Granted Patent: US 8,971,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18528 Satellite systems for providing two-way communications service to a network of fixed stations, i.e. fixed satellite service or very small aperture terminal [VSAT] system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a first wireless device that interfaces with a wireless modem at said asset location for delivery of sensor data to a remote location; and

a second wireless device that is configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said second wireless device responding to said status request with measurement data generated by a sensor device that is associated with said second wireless device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless modem is a satellite modem.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said slave device only transmits in acknowledgment of a request from said master device.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slave device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device wirelessly transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said wireless modem.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes an operating mode of said sensor device.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a baud rate of said sensor device.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a power level of said sensor device.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a wake up interval of said sensor device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said second wireless device is integrated with said sensor device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said second wireless device is coupled to said sensor device via a serial interface.

14. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a locating device that is coupled to a wireless modem, said locating device generating information that is used to identify a location of an asset; and

a first wireless device at said asset location for delivery of sensor data to a remote location via said wireless modem, said first wireless device being configured to communicate wirelessly with a second wireless device that is configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said first wireless device receiving, in response to said status request, measurement data generated by a sensor device that is associated with said second wireless device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said locating device receives global positioning system satellite signals.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said locating device generates location information that is used, at a location remote from said asset location, to calculate a location of the asset.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said first wireless device is integrated in hardware with said wireless modem.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said first wireless device is on separate hardware from said wireless modem, and communicates with said satellite modem using a hardwired interface.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said wireless modem is a satellite modem.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said second wireless device after said second wireless device completes a synchronization process.